Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-22

lulc IcOQA oOllf III Adf4A5 ONNd-
pied your time
'.Of all the corfounded impertinentA"
"Silence - cried Jack, checking the ris-
ing stream of his uncle's vituperation with
sharp exclamation which rang through
the Office. Z" did not come here to be in
suited. neither know nor care what your
opinion of me is, but Iii trouble you 10 be
civil"
Old Josiah shrank beneath his nephew's
indignant gaze, for he was secretly fright
ened and subdued by the spirit which the
young man displayed when reused. He
bent over his desk and began hdgeting
about the papers upon it, bur he could not
refrain from firing parting shot.
You say you have not spoken TO Mr.
Martineau about your engagement TO his
daughter % he remarked, as Jack reached
the door.
" Not at present. must now, and take
my chance" said the young man. rather
ruefuly.
put Mr.. Martineau on his guard, said old
Josiah, taking up pen with e nervous
gesture. " He is an old friend, and as you
are my nephew I consider that ought 10
acquaint him with what is going on
There is no occasion for yoIr interfer-
ence, Uncle JOSIAH said Jack, taking an
angry stride into the room.
. l am the best judge of that returned
his uncle.
Look here, uncle said Jack, lifting his
finger warningly, leave me to manage my
own affairs l promise that will imme-
diately inform Mr.. Martineau of my en-
gagement to his daughter. There is no need
whatever to put yourself forward; and
what is more added the young man, with
rising color, if you do, you shall repent
il. Now mind that
Old Josiah Flegg was naturally indignant
at his nephew menacing tone, but he did
not venture TO say another word, and al
lowed Jack to depart without further inter-
ruption. To tell the truth, he felt vaguely
uneasy at the threat which had been adj
dressed to him, without. quite knowing why.
He could not conceive that it was within
the power of his nephew to do him any
harm, and yet his cowardly nature WINGED
at what he regarded as an empty boast.
However, he was not sufficiently impressed
10 be deferred from carrying ont his inten-
ton. If it had only been question OF en-
barrassing bis nephew, he might have re-
sisted the temptation, out of the abundance
of his caution. But he was rather proud of
his acquaintance with Mr.. Martineau, who,
as a rich and successful Spectator in his
own line Of business, was the object OF his
peculiar regard and veneration. Anything
he could do which might be interpreted into
favor or obligation would no doubt in the
end prove profitable TO himself, and he could
not doubt that he would earn Mr.. Mar
tineau's gratitude by opening his eyes 10 his
daughters engagement. and warning MIN
of his would be son-in-law's character and
prospects. Old Josiah Flegg was too grasp
,,fr,
ing the interests of his business, while he
was mean enough not to be overscrupulous
about the methods he employed
He therefore put on his hat and called
Immediately at Mr.. Martineau's office,
where, to his great relief, he saw no signs
of Jack. He had the satisfaction Of impart
ing to his friend the first intimation of his
daughters engagement. and Of receiving his
warm thanks for his trouble. He was a
little disappointed to find that Mr.. Marti-
mean, though as averse as other rich men
to q poor son-in-law, showed considerable
liking for Jack and spoke hall regretfully
of putting stop to the engagement as
though a very little persuasion from an
influential quarter would have made him
sanction it. But old Josiah was careful not
to urge his nephew's suit, and TO account
for his reticence he felt impelled TO drop a
few significant hints about Jacks character
from his point of view. The result was
that Mr. Martineau was seized with sudden
indignation, for he sat down then and there
and penned brief note to poor Jack which
could hardly fail to convince him of the
utter hopelessness of his aspirations.
Old Josiah endeavored TO convince him
self that he had only discharged an unpleas-
ant but unavoidable duty but he did not
enjoy his triumph so much as he had an
ticipated. Jacks words of warning still
rang in his ears, and consequently, when
his nephew was announced the following
afternoon, he felt disagreeably apprehen-
sive.
Il have had a note from Mr.. Martineau,
uncle said the young man seating him
self gravely and as it arrived before |
had had time to call upon him, is evident
that I am indebted to your kind offices.
Il told you l should inform Mr.. Mar
tineau," said old Josiah, endeavoring 10
hide his confusion.
And told you that you would repent
doing so' retorted Jack, with ominous
calmness. Now, Uncle Josiah, your I'M
friendly conduct has just nerved me to per-
form, on my part, an unpleasant duty. |
have had it on my mind 10 speak TO you
for some time, but the fear of hurting your
feelings has hitherto restrained NE. How
ever, you haven't spared my feelings-have
you, uncle ?"
What are you driving at ?" inquired old
Josiah, Sharply.
/ want TO know, Uncle josiah, whether
my fathers money, Of which you are sole
trustee, is invested in accordance with the
terms of his will p said Jack, gravely.
Old Josiah started as though he had been
stung, and turned crimson all over mis- bald
head.
What do you mean ?" he cried, pomp-
ously, Have you come here TO accuse
your fathers brother of theft ?"
No, Uncle Josiah. l am sure that
every farthing of the money in intact"
said Jack, with evident sincerity. But
how is it invested That is the ques-
ton"
What concern is that of yours ?" roared
old josiah. 1t is my affair, and l am
responsible
- want to ask you plain question,
Uncle Josiah, said Jack, looking straight
at him. " Is it not the fact that the whole
of my fathers money! is invested in your
business ?'
What if it is ?" exclaimed old Josiah,
defantly, so taken aback that he was I'M
able to utter the denial which rose invol-
UNFAIRLY to his lips.
l have long suspected this, said Jack,
" and, though l have hesitated TO breach
the subject, my mind is fully made up as
to the course to take. The money must be
properly invested Immediately"
Pooh you don't know what you are
talking about cried his uncle, getting
redder and hotter, and more uneasy every
moment.
'' Yes, do, and have taken proper ad-
vice. Unless you will promise me that the
money shall be Immediately Withdrawn
from the risk of your business I shall take
an action against you in chancery, said
Jack, quietly.
Uncle Josiah was too much upset and
startled to make any reply to this, and his
nephew, observing that he might wish 10
think the matter over, took his leave. re-
marking that he would call the next day
for his decision Left to himself, old Josiah
passed very uncomfortable quarter of an
hour in painfully realizing the full force of
his nephew's demands. The fact was that,
though the deceased brother sfortune was